Evelina makes next move in plan to become South East England hub for children’s cancer services

Evelina London Children’s Hospital has appointed the consultants it wants to help create a new cancer treatment centre for children.

Appointed by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, the consultancy group Ramboll will provide a full range of multi-disciplinary advisory and design services, with subconsultants providing further specialist support.

This includes collaboration with ADP Architecture for architectural and lead designer services, with further specialist services from GL Hearn, Art in Site, Thornton Tomasetti and Safer Sphere.

The project will involve a multi-phased approach to ward and department remodelling across three separate buildings at the hospital.  Designs will focus on sustainability – with renewable energy, water management, air quality and material use on the agenda.

There are currently 13 children’s cancer Principal Treatment Centres (PTC) in England which provide specialist care for children aged 15 and under with cancer. Following an NHS England led decision-making process, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, has been chosen as the future PTC location for south London and much of south east England.

Evelina London is now working closely with patients, families, its own staff and staff from the existing service delivered by The Royal Marsden and St George’s Hospital, to plan for the safe transfer of specialist cancer services to Evelina London Children’s Hospital. The service is not expected to move before October 2026.

James O’Brien, the children’s cancer PTC operational delivery director, said: “The appointment of the team from Ramboll and ADP Architecture is a significant step in our journey to bring specialist cancer services to Evelina.

“We are grateful to the patient representatives who got involved in the decision-making process and to colleagues from the existing service who have already done so much to contribute, and to share their expertise and views with us.

“We pride ourselves on working closely with children, families and staff to ensure we are well placed to deliver excellent care in a child-friendly and welcoming environment.”

Kevin Smith, head of Healthcare UK at Ramboll said: “We are delighted to have been selected to provide multi-disciplinary design services on this complex project.

“With 500 dedicated healthcare experts globally and an extensive international and UK healthcare portfolio, notably Cambridge Children’s Hospital, we look forward to working with the Trust to provide a smooth, timely and affordable service transfer of the Principal Treatment Centre from the Royal Marsden Hospital and St George’s Hospital to Evelina.

“It is our goal to ensure that children with cancer have access to safe and timely care with compassionate support and good outcomes.”

Picture: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust